
31 




DELAYED BLOOMING 
Ei 
oy), Delay lowering by Use of Artificial alight 
It has usually been considered that lighting pompons greatly reduces the number of flowers per 
spray. Experiments conducted at the United States Department of Agriculture shows that this oc- 
curs if light is applied at or soon after the time of bud formation. When light treatments were 
started at least 2. weeks before bud formation and applied in the form of nightly interruptions, no 
supplementary light being used while the buds developed, blooming could be delayed without 
seriously reducing flower count. 
Experience will prove the best guide in: applying methods to extend the flowering season. The 
choice of varieties, season of bloom and light treatment, must be made by the individual grower. 
If the blooming season is to be extended for only several weeks, then the light exposure period 
per night can be short, not to exceed 30 minutes of light from 40- to 60- watt lamps. If the 
blooming season is to be extended further, a longer period of light, but not more than | hour 
nightly, should be used. To be most effective, this light should be applied at or near the middle 
of the night. 
USEFUL HINTS 
I—Select vigorous growing, midseason to late-flowering varieties for delayed 
flowering. 
2—Planting date may be several weeks later than when no lights are used. 
3—Light with 40- to 60- watt lamps using suitable reflectors hung at four-foot 
intervals over the bench. Too low a light intensity will not retard bud devel- 
opment. 
4—Start lights at least 2 weeks before buds are normally visible for the variety, 
usually not later than August |Oth. Starting after this date may cause mal- 
formed flowers and long necks. 
5—Use lights EVERY NIGHT at or near midnight, for one hour, when blooming is 
to be delayed several weeks. Use lights three hours for delaying longer periods. 
6—Pinch pompons and disbuds the last time 30 days before the light treatment 
is discontinued. This will prevent varieties from getting too leggy. 
7—Night temperatures should be 55 degrees with day temperatures from 10 to 
[5 degrees higher. Cooler night temperatures will induce blindness. 
8—Discontinue lights according to the blooming time desired. For varieties nor- 
mally blooming before November 15, allow 9 weeks after the lights are 
stopped until blooming; for varieties blooming after November 15 allow 10 to 
|! weeks: and for those blooming in December, |! to 12 weeks. 
9—Be careful that the light from the bench treated does not light a bench near- 
by that is not treated. This will cause part of the bench not under treatment 
to be delayed in flowering and consequently upset growing plans for bench 
not under treatment. 
10—Standards, Disbuds, Pot-Plants, and Pompons respond alike to this delayed 
flowering treatment. 
